Kim McIntyre, Executive Director
Kim McIntyre has been the Executive Director of the Aquarium Conservation Partnership since 2017. She has been working at the intersection of ocean conservation, climate change, policy, and sustainability for more than 25 years, building cross-sector coalitions with governments, non-profits, academia, and industry. She holds a Master’s degree in Marine Biodiversity and Conservation from Scripps Institution of Oceanography, an environmental law degree from University of Hawaii, and a B.S. in marine biology from University of Miami. She lives in La Jolla, CA with her husband and two daughters.
Ayana Melvan, Executive Vice President
Ayana Melvan is the Aquarium Conservation Partnership’s Executive Vice President. Ayana has led work with a racial equity lens using the collective impact approach locally and nationally for more than a decade. She has worked across sectors to address social, environmental, and ocean justice especially in the fields of youth development, aquariums, and zoos. She was one of the founders and co-chairs of the ACP Equity Work Group. Ayana graduated cumlaude from the University of Massachusetts - Amherst with a B.A. in communications with a film certification. When Ayana isn’t at work she’s enjoying the beautiful shoreline of Rhode Island at Misquamicut Beach with her family during all seasons!
Mark Losavio, Conservation Policy Manager
Mark Losavio is the Aquarium Conservation Partnership’s Conservation Policy Manager. Mark is responsible for advancing ACP's conservation policy goals and working closely with ACP members to develop strategies and opportunities for policy action. He has shared the science and stories of the world's favorite ocean places with an international audience and has engaged in diverse and sometimes unconventional communication experiences. This has evolved into a passion for communicating scientific topics to a broader audience and using that to build partnerships between communities, advocacy groups, and government representatives. Mark holds a bachelor’s degree in marine science from the University of South Carolina and a master’s in marine biology from Northeastern University. Currently living in the mermaid city of Norfolk Virginia, Mark is an avid diver and tries to make people laugh at the local comedy theater on the weekends.
Nikki Saccoccia, People and Culture Manager
Nikki Saccoccia is the Aquarium Conservation Partnership’s Manager of People and Culture. Nikki is responsible for stewarding systems of care, connection, and culture across ACP. With a background in program management, community engagement, and environmental education, Nikki is dedicated to fostering meaningful connections between people and nature. Her career has included studying mercury levels in South African rivers, tracking African wildlife, mapping invasive species, and working with birds of prey. She has also designed and led marine and terrestrial environmental education programs and collaborated with health systems to transform nature preserves into spaces for healing and community well-being. Nikki holds a Bachelor of Science in Fisheries and Wildlife Conservation from the University of Connecticut. Outside of work, Nikki finds joy in motherhood, honing her personalized "Nature Nik" naturalist skills, and creating art inspired by the natural world. She lives in Connecticut with her husband, son, two cats (Twig and Caper), and dog (Finch).
